HRPS Project Mirage Takes Down Counterfeit Currency Ring
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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made multiple arrests and laid nearly 2 dozen charges after an investigation into an online counterfeit currency sales ring.
The investigation known as Project Mirage, began in August of 2025, when investigators with the HRPS Financial Crimes Unit became aware of two public Instagram accounts advertising the sale of a counterfeit Canadian currency. The accounts contained links to online stores offering the sale of various counterfeit currency bundles under the guise of “film prop money”. Online orders were processed through a credit card and shipped across Canada.
Investigators were able to link the counterfeit notes being sold to frauds across the Greater Toronto Area (including Halton) and eventually identified a group of suspects behind the accounts. Investigators estimate that the counterfeit operation generated more than $60, 000 in online sales before being disrupted by police.
On March 31, 2026, HRPS officers executed search warrants at three residences in Toronto as well as vehicles associated to the accused. As a result of the search warrants, the following items were seized (see attached photos):
- 1-ounce gold bar (valued at $6,500)
- 13 cellular phones
- Multiple laptops and various electronics
- Packing materials for currency
- Counterfeit currency business cards for online shops
- Bundles of counterfeit currency (Canadian, Euro and Australian)
- Tools for counterfeiting currency
- Bundles of holographic security strips
- 12.6 ounces of cocaine
- 2 ounces of MDMA
- 6 ounces of Methamphetamine
- 80 Xanax tablets
As a result of the investigation the following charges have been laid:
Rafi Ahmed (23) of Toronto
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
Shafi Ahmed (24) of Toronto
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
Levente Glonczi (21) of Toronto
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
David Ho (29) of Toronto
- Fraud over $5000
- Uttering Counterfeit Money
- Advertising and Dealing in Counterfeit Money
Jason Ho (31) of Toronto
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Xanax)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (MDMA)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)
Thanh Bui (29) of Toronto
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Xanax)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (MDMA)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Methamphetamine)